Belgian prime minister ‘a target’ for Brussels attackers

Belgium increased security around Prime Minister Charles Michel after investigators discovered plans and photos of his office and official residence on a computer linked to suspected terrorists, according to a Belgian security official.

“Three days ago we were informed about [the evidence] and immediately enhanced security measures. Cars are no longer allowed to park outside the ’16’ [the prime minister’s office, located at 16 Rue de la Loi in Brussels],” and ID checks were stepped up, a Belgian official with knowledge of the threats told POLITICO.

Investigators found two computers during their hunt for terror suspects. One was found in a house in the suburb of Forest during a raid in which one man was killed and four police officers wounded.

A second computer was found in a trash bin next to an apartment in the northern Brussels neighborhood of Schaerbeek where three suspects were picked up by a taxi driver and driven to Zaventem airport. Police also found what the prosecutor called airport bomber Brahim el-Bakraoui’s “last testament.” It said he didn’t feel safe anymore, “didn’t know what to do” and didn’t want to end up in a prison cell.

Prosecutors on Thursday confirmed that the information about Michel was found on the computer found in Schaerbeek.

According to a senior law enforcement official, authorities are anticipating an attack on a political target. “We have found evidence that the next targets will be political — we don’t know if EU politicians, Belgians or even the prosecutor’s office,” the official said.

This article was updated with information about the computers found by police.